Fierce Santa Ana winds put Southern California under red-flag alert

Whipping Santa Ana winds, low humidity and warmer temperatures are combining this weekend to create the most severe fire threat to the Southern California region in the last five years, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service issued a red-flag alert Friday morning for much of Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties, as well as other areas. Winds in some high-desert areas and mountain passes had reached 30 to 40 mph in the morning.

Forecasters say the conditions, including temperatures in the 90s, are expected to persist into Sunday.

The city of Pasadena announced Thursday night it is putting parking restrictions into effect for narrow and winding roads leading into and out of the San Gabriel Mountains that abut the city.

The restrictions make it easier for emergency vehicles to respond to a fire.